The Fort Leonard Wood Tax Center opened its doors, Monday, during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the tax center, located in the Staff Judge Advocate Office in Bldg. 315. The tax center is open and available to prepare and e-file taxes for Soldiers and their family members at no cost to them.

“It is a free tax service which is not common, while we do not do the upfront loans, we are certified by the IRS and have a number of financial consultants, both civilian and military” said Capt. Robert Luyties, Tax Center officer-in-charge.

The efforts of the installation tax center are an annual benefit for the residents of Fort Leonard Wood.

“If last year was a blue print of what is to come, we hope to save Soldiers more than $500,000 in tax preparation fees,” said Col. James Agar. “It is a benefit to our Soldiers and Soldiers taking care of Soldiers is what we do best. This mission is critical to the legal administration mission. It is a direct impact to Soldiers and their family members as well.”

Tax preparation is available to Soldiers and their spouses, as well as reservists and guardsmen on active duty orders at Fort Leonard Wood and retirees. The required documents for preparation are as follows:

- Social Security Card – ( a military ID will not work)

- All W-2’s and any proof of any other earned or unearned income;

- All information regarding any credit or deduction you may wish to deduct;

- Last year’s tax return;

- A Power of Attorney, if required;

- If claiming the child/dependent care deduction, you must have total of payments and the caregiver’s Social Security Number or Employer’s Employee Identification Number

- To claim adjustments, credits, or itemized deductions, have receipts and total amounts;

- To claim dependency deduction, a non-custodial parent should have an IRS Form 8332 (Release of Claim of Exemption for Child of Divorced or Separated Parents), separation agreement or divorce decree;

- A completed intake sheet (available at the tax center or on the tax center website, www.wood.army. mil/sja/tax). If you do not have this, arrive 15 minutes prior to appointment time

- A check, deposit slip or some proof of bank routing and accountnumber.

Customers are also advised to not schedule appointments more than three weeks out.

According to the tax center, they assisted more than 5,000 servicemembers, retirees and their dependants last year; prepared 2,574 Federal returns; 2,541 State returns and 1,354 Missouri Non Resident forms; for a total of 6,469 individual income tax forms prepared. They electronically filed over 2,417 Federal returns and over 3,700 State income tax forms with low rejection rates. The center was responsible for saving the Fort Leonard Wood community $634,639 in preparation fees and more than $6,187,519 in refunds.

“We save each Soldier an average of $200 in tax preparation fees,” said Col. Charles Williams, Fort Leonard Wood Garrison commander. “ That is one of the many benefits that Soldiers receive. The Staff Judge Advocate office has done a phenomenal office and done a fantastic job both with the claims process and will do a great job with this.”

The current hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will expand as needed. Appointments are preferred, while walk-ins are allowed as well. The tax center can be reached at 596.1040.